Piano-action.



No. 655,278. Patented Aug. 7, I900.

w. R. ST. CLAIR.

PIANO ACTION. (Application filed Oct. 16; 1899 XVILLIAM RICHARD ST.CLAIR, OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

PIANO=ACTION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 655,278, dated August7', 1900.

I Application filed October 16,1899. Serial No. 733,773. (No model.)

To all whom 231'; may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM RICHARD ST. CLAIR, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Nashville, in the county of Davidson and State ofTennessee, have invented a new and useful Piano-Action, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in piano-actions whereby a newhammer-butt, lifter, and wippen are employed differing from those incommon use, the objects of my invention being greater simplicity,stability, and effectiveness in their performance. I attain theseobjects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich- Figure I is a vertical section of the action when at rest. Fig.II is a vertical section of the action after the lifter has completedits .stroke and the momentum of the hammer has carried it against thestring, also showing the expansion of the coiled spring, which uniteshammer-butt and lifter internally; and

Fig. III shows the serrated or roughened metal late to securecenter-pins by preventing slipping.

Similar letters and figures refer to similar parts throughout thedifferent Views.

To the center-rail A is screwed flange F, which holds the hammer-butt 2by means of the rearward-extending arm 2*. This is held in place by theserrated metal plate 3, the teeth of which 3 bite into center-pin, (seeFig. 1H,) preventing its slipping sidewise. Theupper end of thehammer-butt 2 holds .the hammer-shank 2 and hammer H. The lower end 2connects with the upper end of the lifter 1 the whole appearing but forthis division as one continuous piece when at rest. (See Fig. 1.)Connection is made by an inward longitudinal recess or groove 6,one-half in each connecting end of lifter and hammer-butt. Within thisgroove is pinned the coiled spring 4. The groove is cloth-lined,

and a loose cushion 5 surrounds the spring 1, engaging lifter andhammer-butt. The object of the internal spring 4 is twofoldfirst, tobring the ends of lifter 1 and hammerbutt 2 close together, and, second,to allow sufficient expansion for the momentum .of'

the hammer H to reach the string. (See Fig. 11.) An equalizing-spring 9is placed rearward and under the arm 2, extending down= ward to andengaging lifter, assisting materially in the return of the hammer. Thewippen 7 has a forward-extending arm 7, curving downward and passingthrouglrthe slot 8 in the lifter 1. When the key K is struck or presseddown, the lifter 1, secured to a rocker R, makes an upward and forwardmotion. The curved arm 7 of the wippen 7 accommodates itself to themotion and slides up as the lifter rises, causing the spoon-lever E toactuate the damper-lever D, thereby releasing the damper D from thestring. The upper end of the lifter 1 being intimately connected withthe hammer-butt 2, the hammer H is carried firmly nearly to the string.The motion of the lifter being suddenly checked, having reached thelimit, the momentum imparted to the hammer H brings it against thestring, the coiled spring 4 expanding for that purpose. (See Fig. II.)The combined recoil from the string and the contraction of the spring atbring the hammer H instantly back, causing the hammer-butt to impingeupon the cushion 5 on top of the lifter and surrounding spring 4, thehammer resting a sufficient distance from the string not to interferewith its vibrations. When the key is released, the curved arm of thewippen '7 slides down and forward in the slot 8 of the lifter 1, thedamper D resumes its pressure against the string, and the hammer dropsback into its normal position upon the cushion-rail B, assisted by theequalizingspring 9. The action can be equally as well used in square andgrand pianos.

Having thus described the mechanism of my action and its peculiarWorking, I claim as my invention and desire to secure by LettersPatent- 1. In a piano-action, the combination with the hammer, and thelifter, of a yielding connection extending across the joint formed between the opposing ends of the hammer and lifter and positively attachedat its respective ends to the said parts, and adapted to lengthen whenthe hammer is actuated and to con tract to assist'the rebound in quicklythrowing the hammer away from the string, substantially as described.

2. In a piano-action, the combination with the hammer and the lifter foractuating the hammer, of a yielding connection between the contiguousends of the hammer-butt and lifter positively connected with each andhoused thereby, substantially as specified.

3. In a piano-action, the combination with the hammer, and the lifterfor actuating the hammer, each having a recess in the meeting end, therecesses being in alinement, of a yielding connection located in therecesses and attached, respectively, at its ends to the said parts,substantially as set forth.

4. In a piano-action, the combination with the hammer, and the lifterfor actuating the hammer, each having a recess in the meet ing end, therecesses being in alinement, of a yielding connection located in therecesses and attached, respectively, at its ends to the said parts, anda cushion interposed between the abutting ends of the hammer and litterand mounted upon the said yielding connection, substantially asdescribed.

5. In a piano-action, the combination with the hammer, and theactuating-litter therefor, of a retractile-spring connection joining thecontiguous ends of the hammer and lifter, and an equalizing-springexerting a lateral pressure against the hammer and lifter upon oppositesides of the joint formed between them, substantially as set forth.

(5. In a piano-action, the combination with the hammer and the lifter, aretractile-spring connection having its end portions housed by, attachedto and extending across the joint formed between the hammer and litter,and an equalizing-spring attached at one end to one of the latter partsand exerting a pressure against both of said parts at right angles tothe length of the retractile-spring connection, substantially asdescribed.

WILLIAM RICHARD ST. CLAIR.

I'Vitnesses:

D. M. MOFALL, Geo. LINGNER.

